Popular Restaurants Outside of Carlisle

We get a lot of searches for restaurants that are popular, but not in the Carlisle, PA Area.

Quite often, people are looking for places like the Olive Garden and Red Lobster. Both are great franchises, but neither are located in Carlisle. What we are going to do here is keep an updated list of these restaurants – and a possible suggestion for something similar – or better – right here in Carlisle!

Comments (3)

Warehouse Bistro, Hanover PA $$ ****
I have been meaning to get here for sometime. The place is not easy to find, but worth seeking out. It is a converted warehouse with a restaurant downstairs and a restaurant and bar up some very steep stairs. Service was very friendly and prompt although I would caution staff with too much ink and piercing will put off some customers. The menu is interesting and creative. The prices are reasonable. Unfortunately I was not particularly hungry and had a chicken walnut sandwich I found a little bland for me. The bread is home made, and the butter and the beer. They had 4 beers available two of them were quite heavy for summer and I was surprised there was no IPA. I like what this place is trying to do and I will definitely be back when I am hungry. I would suggest dropping gourmet from the name, it is a little pretentious and you are not quite there yet, but keep on trying.

What if West, Camp Hill PA $$$ **
This was our groups first time and last time here. The place is noisy and linked to an arcade, but that is not the problem, it is the food. We hit happy hour, 5 – 7 and the beer selection and price was good. Service was fine and helpful although ours was a little loud probably due to the poor bowling alley like acoustics. I had a salad and upgraded $4.50 to a specialty salad. The extra $4.50 was not worth it. I asked for the pork belly appetizer as a main course portion and at $17.95 the portion was very small. Entrees come with rice or mash, and veg. du jour. I had mash which came a couple of minutes after my entree. My veg did not show and so I had to ask. When it got to the table I had finished my pork and potatoes. Pork belly is usually crispy skin and fat with soft meat from slow cooking. There was no crispy skin or fat. It was in a sweet sauce which was OK.
My friend’s pasta dish presentation was very poor. The Lobster ravioli was missing lobster. The pizza looked a little dry to me. Overall the prices are a little high for what you get.
There was along wait between our salad and main course. The place was not all that busy so not sure why the food took so long. It may have been an off night, but if it is usually the house acknowledge this and gives a free dessert or takes a bit off, but this was not offered so perhaps this is how they operate every night. We won’t be back.

Sidney’s East Berlin ***** $$$
This has to be one of the best if not the best restaurant in Central Pennsylvania. Owner chef Neil Annis has impressive culinary credentials with training at the CIA and notable restaurants in DC and NYC. The staff are always impressive and well trained on the menu. The menu is eclectic American with an emphasis on local food source. My last meal I started with the terrine of chicken liver followed by pan roasted rib eye of pork. Surprisingly this time I had space for the rhubarb Parve. For special occasions and no occasion at all except you like good food, Restaurant Sidney.http://www.restaurantsidney.com/east-berlin/